HYMN

O Father, you surround us with unspeakable love
and bathe us in new light,
while, at daybreak, a shining joy
brightens our hearts.

You crowned Saint Maria De Mattias
with honor and glory;
and now, unceasingly, the eternal light
of your dwelling envelops her.

In heaven she experiences and enjoys
the treasure that she earned by loving on earth.
Faithful Adorer of the Lamb,
she suffered, lived and died for him.

Glory to the Father, king of the universe,
to the Son, suffering redeemer,
sacrificed on the cross for love,
and to the Holy Sprit, who groans within us. Amen.

Or:

Clap your hands, all you peoples, *
Sing unto God with a voice of jubilation.

For the Lord high and mighty *
has shown to us his mercy,

For he has not spared his own Son *
but has delivered him up in our behalf,

That we might be redeemed by his blood *
and freed from our sins;

That justified in his blood *
we might be saved from his wrath;

That we who were separated from him *
might be reconciled through the blood of his Son.

O Lord, my God, what can I render unto you *
for all the good you have bestowed upon me?

I will take the chalice of salvation *
and I will call upon the power of this blood.

Sing to Jesus, all you saints, *
and make known the memory of his holiness.

For he has loved us and has washed us in his blood *
and he has become our helper and our redeemer.

Blessed forever be the blood of Christ *
which has wrought such wonders in us.

Blessed be Jesus for all eternity, *
and may the heavens and the earth be filled with the glory of his blood.

Come, let us adore Christ, the Son of God, *
who has redeemed us with his blood. Amen

Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.


Ant.1 I sought him whom my heart loves;
I found him and I will not leave him.

PSALM 63: 2-9                                                   A soul thirsting for God
The Church thirsts for her Savior, yearning to drink at the fount of living water that springs up for eternal life. (Cf Cassiodorus).

O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.

So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.

My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.

Ant.1 I sought him whom my heart loves;
I found him and I will not leave him

Ant. 2. May every creature praise God
in the Blood of Jesus.

CANTICLE             Daniel 3: 57-88, 56             Let all creatures praise the Lord
Praise our God, all you his servants. (Rv 19:5)

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, *
you heavens, bless the Lord,

All you waters above the heavens, *
all you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord;
sun and moon, bless the Lord; *
stars of heaven, bless the Lord;

every shower and dew, bless the Lord; *
all you winds, bless the Lord;
fire and heat, bless the Lord; *
cold and chill, bless the Lord;

dew and rain, bless the Lord; *
frost and chill, bless the Lord;
ice and snow, bless the Lord; *
nights and days, bless the Lord;

light and darkness, bless the Lord; *
lightning and clouds, bless the Lord;
let the earth bless the Lord, *
praise and exalt him above all forever.

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; *
everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord;
you springs, bless the Lord; *
seas and rivers, bless the Lord;

you dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; *
all you birds of the air, bless the Lord;
all you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; *
you sons of men, bless the Lord;

O Israel, bless the Lord; *
praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; *
servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; *
holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord;
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord;*
praise and exalt him above all forever.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, *
praiseworthy and glorious forever.

At the end of the canticle the Glory be to the Father is not said.

Ant. 2. May every creature praise God
in the Blood of Jesus.

Ant. 3 Standing before the throne of God,

PSALM 149              The joy of God’s holy people
Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius).

Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.

Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;

to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.
let us sing a new song to the Lamb.

Ant. 3 Standing before the throne of God,
let us sing a new song to the Lamb.


READING                                                     1 Corinthians 1:26-30

RESPONSORY

R. God sustains her * with the light of his face.
-- God sustains her with the light of his face.
V. She cannot waver: God is with her
-- with the light of his face.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
-- God sustains her with the light of his face.


Benedictus Ant. Let us bless the Lord;
in Jesus Christ he has visited and redeemed us.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be *
world without end. Amen

Benedictus Ant. Let us bless the Lord;
in Jesus Christ he has visited and redeemed us.


INTERCESSIONS

With confidence, we address our prayer to Christ, spouse and crown of virgins:
Lord, may your kingdom come.

Lord Jesus, in baptism you made us a royal priesthood:
- make our whole life a sacrifice pleasing to you.

Lord Jesus, by the blood you shed on the cross you reconciled the entire world:
- overcome human injustice and be our peace.

Lord Jesus, in the Eucharistic sacrifice you render the sacrifice of the cross present:
- make our hearts attentive to the cry of suffering humanity.

Lord Jesus, your associated your Virgin Mother to your work of salvation:
- grant us the grace to collaborate in this mystery of saving love through our life.

Lord Jesus, in Saint Maria De Mattias you offer us an example of a strong, wise woman:
- grant us evangelical wisdom and strength in our times of trial.


Our Father.


PRAYER
Father most holy, who in your loving plan adorned Saint Maria De Mattias with exceptional gifts of grace so that in the Church she might be a witness to the blood of Christ; grant that, through her intercession, we may faithfully adore the Lamb without blemish who died and rose for us, celebrate with thanksgiving the new and eternal covenant in his blood and with zeal proclaim to all peoples the power of the love of Christ crucified. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

INVITATORY

Ant. Come, let us adore Christ, the Son of God,
who has redeemed us with his blood.

PSALM 95                                          Invitation to praise God
Encourage yourself daily while it is still “today” (Heb 3:13).

Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving, *
and sing joyful songs to the Lord. (Ant.)

The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands. (Ant.)

Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
the flock he shepherds. (Ant.)

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: Do not grow stubborn, *
as your fathers did in the wilderness, †
when at Meriba and Massah
they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works. (Ant.)

Forty years I endured that generation; †
I said: “They are a people whose hearts go astray *
and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.” (Ant.)

Glory to the Father and to the Son *
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever will be. Amen (Ant.)

Alternative Invitatory Psalms: 100, 67, 24


HYMN

Father, mysterious creative power,
in your love, you raise up life;
we sing hymns of praise to your mercy
which has redeemed us in the Blood of Christ.

With the everlasting light that shines
from the open wounds in his Body
He drew to himself, beside his cross,
the virgin Saint Maria De Mattias.

She gave herself unhesitatingly,
and responded with intense joy
to the sublime invitation of her Spouse,
consecrating her whole life to him.

Praise to the everlasting Blessed Trinity:
to the Father who generously gives us life,
to the Son who saves us on the cross
and to the powerful breath of the Spirit. Amen.

Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.


Ant. 1 The announcement has gone out to the entire world:
Jesus loves us; he washes us in his blood.


PSALM 19                                                      A Hymn to God the Creator
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation ( Isaiah 52:7).

The heavens proclaim the glory of God *
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story *
and night unto night makes known the message.

No speech, no word, no voice is heard †
yet their span extends through all the earth, *
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.

There he has placed a tent for the sun; †
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, *
rejoices like a champion to run its course.

At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun; †
to the furthest end of the sky is its course. *
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.


Ant. 1 The announcement has gone out to the entire world:
Jesus loves us; he washes us in his blood.

Ant. 2 I love you and want to love you forever.
You are my love and I am all yours.


PSALM 45, 2-10 (I)                                                            The marriage of the king
At midnight there came a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” (Matthew 25:6).

My heart overflows with noble words. †
To the king I must speak the song I have made; *
my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.

You are the fairest of the children of men †
and graciousness is poured upon your lips: *
because God has blessed you for evermore.

O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh; †
in splendor and state, ride on in triumph *
for the cause of truth and goodness and right.

Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand. †
Your arrows are sharp: peoples fall beneath you. *
The foes of the king fall down and lost heart.

Your throne, O God, shall endure forever.*
A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom.

Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil. †
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *
with the oil of gladness above other kings.

Your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh. *
From the ivory palace you are greeted with music.
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones. *
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir.


Ant. 2 I love you and want to love you forever.
You are my love and I am all yours.

Ant. 3 God wanted me wholly for himself,
and I wanted to belong wholly to God.


PSALM 45,11-18 (II)                                                        The Queen and the Bride
I saw the new Jerusalem…prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2).

Listen O daughter, give ear to my words: *
forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty: *
he is your lord, pay homage to him.

And the people of Tyre shall come with gifts, *
the richest of the people shall seek your favor.

The daughter of the king is clothed with splendor, *
her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.

She is led to the king with her maiden companions. †
They are escorted amid gladness and joy; *
they pass within the palace of the king.

Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers: *
you will make them princes over all the earth.

May this song make your name forever remembered.*
May the peoples praise you from age to age.


Ant. 3 God wanted me wholly for himself,
and I wanted to belong wholly to God.

V. The Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them
R. and lead them to springs of life-giving water.


FIRST READING
From the Book of Revelation of Saint John, the apostle                    Revelation 7: 1-4, 9-17

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb



RESPONSORY                                                         cf. Revelation 7:9-10

R. The redeemed cried out in a loud voice: * Salvation comes from our God and from the Lamb.
V. To our God be blessing, glory and wisdom.
R. Salvation comes from our God and from the Lamb.


SECOND READING
From the writings of Saint Maria de Mattias, virgin

(Rules and Constitutions of 1857, Preface; Letters of Saint Maria De Mattias, nn. 91; 151; 254; 328; ed. 1944 and 1947)

We are called to work in the vineyard of Jesus Crucified


RESPONSORY                                                               cf. Rev 5:9-10, 19:5

R. You have redeemed us for God with your blood. * You have made us a kingdom for our God.
V. Praise our God, all you his servants, the small and great, who revere him.
R. You have made us a kingdom for our God.

Or

SECOND READING
From the Funeral Oration written by Venerable Fr. Giovanni Merlini, Missionary of the Most Precious Blood, spiritual director of Maria De Mattias

(Giovanni Merlini’s Letters to Maria De Mattias, vol. II, n. 400, p. 106)

We celebrate a life

RESPONSORY

R. She lives and will live forever * because God wanted her totally for himself.
V. In the assembly of the just and in the kingdom of happiness, she will live forever.
R. because God wanted her totally for himself.


Hymn Te Deum

We praise you, O God; *
we acclaim you Lord and Master.
Everlasting Father, *
all the world bows down before you.

All the angels sing your praise, *
the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers;
All the cherubim and seraphim *
call out to you in unending chorus:

Holy, holy, holy *
is the Lord God of angel hosts!
The heavens and the earth are filled, Lord, *
with your majesty and glory.

Your praises are sung *
by the renowned Apostles;
By all the prophets, *
who themselves deserve our praise;

By that mighty white-robed army *
who shed their blood for Christ.
And to the ends of the earth, *
the holy Church proclaims her faith in you:

Father, *
whose majesty is boundless;
Your only Son, *
who is true God and who is to be adored;

The Holy Spirit, *
sent to be our Advocate.
O Christ, the King of glory! *
You alone are the Father’s eternal Son.

When you were to become man so as to save humankind, *
you did not shrink back from the chaste Virgin’s womb.
When you triumphantly destroyed death’s sting, *
you opened up to believers the kingdom of haven.

You are now enthroned at God’s right hand, in the Father’s glory: *
We believe that you will come for judgment.
We therefore implore you to grant your servants grace and aid, *
for you shed your precious blood for their redemption.

Admit them all to the ranks of your saints *
in everlasting glory.
Be their Shepherd, Lord, *
uphold and exalt them forever and ever.

Day by day we praise you, *
daily we acclaim you.
We will confess and glorify your hold name, *
now and for all eternity.

In your great mercy, Lord, throughout this day *
keep us free from sin by your protection.
Have mercy on us, we humbly pray; *
Lord, have mercy on us.

May your mercy, Lord, your loving-kindness, always remain with us; *
for we have placed our confidence in you.
In you alone, Lord, I have hoped; *
may I not be disappointed.


PRAYER

HYMN

Father, we thank you; you loved us
and redeemed us in Christ, your Son,
To Him, the Sacrificial Lamb, we raise
our hymn of eternal praise and blessing.

Through the Blood he shed for us,
he lavished upon us the great gift
of Saint Maria De Mattias,
imbued with the charism of love.

We glorify you, Holy Spirit;
with your love you sanctified her,
and fashioned her into a faithful adorer
of the most precious blood of Christ.

With Saint Maria we sing eternal praise,
to the Father, source of life,
to the Son for the gift of love,
passed on to us by the Divine Spirit. Amen


Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastic authority.



Ant. 1 How lovable and infinitely good is Jesus;
in him we find everything: the fullness of grace and love.


PSALM 113                             Praise the name of the Lord
He has thrown down the powerful from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. (Luke 1:52).

Praise, you servants of the Lord *
praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord *
both now and forever.

From the rising of the sun to its setting *
let the name of the Lord be praised.
High above all nations is the Lord; *
above the heavens God's glory.

Who is like the Lord, our God *
enthroned on high, looking down on heaven and earth?

The Lord raises the needy from the dust, *
lifts the poor from the ash heap,
Seats them with princes, *
the princes of the people,

Gives the childless wife a home,*
the joyful mother of children.

Ant. 1 How lovable and infinitely good is Jesus;
in him we find everything: the fullness of grace and love.


Ant. 2. Let us glorify the Father;
in his Son he speaks to us and redeems us.

PSALM 147                      Jerusalem Restored
Come, I will show you the bride, the spouse of the Lamb. (Revelation 21:9).

O, praise the Lord, Jerusalem! *
Zion, praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
he has blessed the children within you,

He established peace on your borders, *
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth; *
and swiftly runs his command.

He showers down snow white as wool, *
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. *
The waters are frozen at his touch.

He sends forth his word and it melts them; *
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his work known to Jacob, *
to Israel his laws and decrees.

He has not dealt thus with other nations; *
he has not taught them his decrees.


Ant. 2 Let us glorify the Father;
in his Son he speaks to us and redeems us.


Ant. 3 Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ,
who has scattered the darkness of my ignorance
and called me to adoring and redeeming love.

CANTICLE          cf. Ephesians 1: 3-10         God our Savior

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, †
who has blessed us in Christ *
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him, †
before the foundation of the world, *
to be holy and without blemish before him.

In love he destined us †
for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, *
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace *
that he granted us in the beloved.

In Christ we have redemption by his blood, *
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace *
that he lavished upon us.

In all wisdom and insight †
God has made known to us the mystery of his will *
in accord with his favor that he set forth in him,
as a plan for the fullness of times, *
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.


Ant. 3 Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ,
who has scattered the darkness of my ignorance
and called me to adoring and redeeming love.


READING                                                    Romans 8:28-30

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.


RESPONSORY

R. The Lord has chosen you * and has favored you.
-- The Lord has chosen you and has favored you.
V. He has taken you to live with him,
-- and has favored you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
-- The Lord has chosen you and has favored you.

Magnificat Ant. Do not fear, for I have ransomed you;
I have called you by name; you belong to me.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; *
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; *
behold, from now on all ages will call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, *
and holy is his name.

His mercy is from age to age *
to those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm, *
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones*
but lifted up the lowly.

The hungry he has filled with good things; *
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped Israel his servant, *
remembering his mercy,

according to his promise to our fathers, *
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Magnificat Ant. Do not fear, for I have ransomed you;
I have called you by name; you belong to me.


INTERCESSIONS

We joyfully thank God our Creator, who in his goodness has filled Saint Maria De Mattias with many gifts of nature and grace, making her an apostle of the blood of his Son.
Let us acclaim him:
We praise you, Father, with the entire Church redeemed by the blood of Christ.

Father most merciful, we glorify you because in Saint Maria De Mattias you showed the world your charity and your mercy,
- grant that we, too, may be imbued with these virtues and witness them with courage and fidelity.

Father most holy, may we be filled with your Spirit, poured out on your sons and daughters,
- according to your loving plan.

Father of infinite goodness, you made Saint Maria De Mattias a fearless herald of your word and a faithful witness of your love,
- awaken in your Church young people who will enthusiastically follow the footsteps of your crucified and risen Son.

Father most just, who called Saint Maria De Mattias to “labor for the glories of the divine Blood”,
- grant that we may celebrate your justice and clemency with renewed hearts.

Father, source of light, grant that all those who sang the glories of the Lamb on earth,
- may join the chorus of the blessed in heaven singing your glories forever.

Our Father.

PRAYER
Father most holy, who in your loving plan adorned Saint Maria De Mattias with exceptional gifts of grace so that in the Church she might be a witness to the blood of Christ; grant that, through her intercession, we may faithfully adore the Lamb without blemish who died and rose for us, celebrate with thanksgiving the new and eternal covenant in his blood and with zeal proclaim to all peoples the power of the love of Christ crucified. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Tell God's glory among the nations;
among all peoples, God's marvelous deeds.
For great is the Lord and highly to be praised.
Ps. 96: 3-4

OPENING PRAYER

God our Father, by the preaching of Francis Xavier
you brought many peoples of the Orient
to the light of the Gospel.
Give his missionary zeal to all who believe in you,
that your Church may rejoice in continued growth
throughout the world.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

The Gloria is said where feast is celebrated

FIRST READING
Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!

From the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
9:16-19, 22-23

Brothers and sisters, if I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me; and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense; but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it

The Word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 117

R. Lord, all nations of the earth will adore you.

Praise the Lord, all you nations!
Give glory, all you peoples. R.

The Lord’s love for us is strong;
the Lord is faithful forever. R.


GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Is 61:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The spirit of the Lord is upon me;
He has sent me
to bring glad tidings to the lowly.
R. Alleluia.


GOSPEL
Go into the whole world and preach the good news.
From the Gospel according to Mark
16:15-20
At that time Jesus, appearing to the Eleven, said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

The Gospel of the Lord.


PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Lord, receive the gifts that we bring
on the feast of Francis Xavier.
As his zeal for the salvation of all people
led him to the ends of the earth,
may we be effective witnesses to the gospel
and come with our brothers and sisters
to be with you in the joy of your kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.


Preface of Advent I
The twofold coming of Christ

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.

V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.


Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When he humbled himself to come among us as a man,
He fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.

Now we watch for the day,
hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours,
when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven,
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
“Go out to all the world
and tell the good news:
I am with you always,”
says the Lord. Cf Mk16:15; Mt 28: 20


PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Lord God,
may this Eucharist fill us with the same love
that inspired Francis Xavier
to work for the salvation of all.
Help us to live in a manner more worthy
of our Christian calling
and so inherit the promise of eternal life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

Lord, my allotted portion and my cup,
You have made my destiny secure.
Pleasant places were measured out for me;
Fair to me indeed is my inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6


The Gloria is said.


COLLECT

Almighty and merciful God,
who gave us an ardent witness
of love for you and for our neighbor
in Saint Gaspar del Bufalo, priest and
dedicated missionary of the Precious Blood of Christ;
through his intercession,
listen to the voice of the blood of your Son
which daily rises to you from the earth
in the painful cry of suffering humanity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


FIRST READING
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation,
and saying to Zion,
”Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.

The word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 96;1-3, 7-8a, 10

R. Your salvation, Lord, is for all peoples.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his marvelous deeds. R.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name! R.

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved.
he governs the peoples with equity. R.


SECOND READING
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good thing.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews
13:12-15, 20-21

Brothers and sisters:
Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood.
Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach that he bore.
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.
Through him then let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The word of the Lord.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Lk 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Lord has sent me
to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives.

R. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Today this scripture is fulfilled.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
4:16-21

At that time, Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”


The Gospel of the Lord.


The Profession of Faith is said where solemnity is celebrated


PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Father most holy, may the bread and wine that we offer you,
as we celebrate the feast of Saint Gaspar,
be a sign of our life offered to you
in your service and that of our neighbor.
Through Christ our Lord.

PREFACE
The mission of Saint Gaspar del Bufalo.

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

For in your providence you give us the joy
of celebrating the feast of Saint Gaspar,
faithful priest of the Church
for whom he stood fast in the face of adversity.
Sustained by the Virgin Mary,
he was a solicitous preacher of the Gospel
and untiring minister of the blood of your Son.
In imitation of Christ,
he became the brother, friend and defender
of the poor and the oppressed.

And so, with all the Angels and Saints,
we praise you and acclaim without end:


COMMUNION ANTIPHON
There is no greater love than this:
to give one’s life for one’s friends,
says the Lord. Jn 15:13


PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

O God, eternal Father,
who have nourished us with the bread of life
and the chalice of salvation,
through the intercession of Saint Gaspar
give us the strength to hold fast in our lives
to the mystery we have celebrated in faith.
Through Christ our Lord.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Hail, holy Mary:
we venerate you as Mother of Sorrows;
we acclaim you as Woman of the New Covenant,
ratified in the precious blood of your Son.


The Gloria is said where solemnity is celebrates

COLLECT
Father most holy, who willed to associate Our Lady of Sorrows,
Woman of the New Covenant,
to the sacrifice of your Son;
through the merits of his precious blood,
grant, we pray, that your Church, born of Christ’s pierced side,
may always celebrate the memorial of his work of redemption
with the love of our Mother Mary showed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


FIRST READING
The mother was admirable and bore everything because of her hope placed in the Lord.

A reading from the second book of Maccabees
7:1, 20-29

In those days, it happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.

Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the LORD.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their forefathers with these words:
“I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man’s beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”

Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his friend and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his life.

After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant, she leaned over close to her son
and said in their native language:
“Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”

The word of the Lord.


REPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 18: 1-3, 5-6, 7, 19-20

R. In my distress I call to you: save me, O Lord.

I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,
my God, my rock of refuge, my shield,
my horn of salvation, my stronghold! R.

The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me. R.

In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears. R.

They attacked me on a day of distress,
but the LORD came to my support.
He set me free in the open;
he rescued me because he loves me. R.


SECOND READING
A great sign appeared in the heavens.

A reading from the Book of Revelation
12:1-3, 7-12. 17

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon beneath her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.

Then war broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.

They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.

Then the dragon became angry with the woman
and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring,
those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus.

The word of the Lord.


SEQUENCE (optional)

[At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In the mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of his own nation
Saw him hang in desolation
Till his spirit forth he sent.

O sweet Mother! Font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord.]

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you his pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.

By the cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.

Wounded with his every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In his very blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
on his awful judgment day.

Christ, when you shall call me hence,
Be your Mother my defense,
Be your cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally. Amen. (Alleluia)


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Cf Jn 19:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Standing by the cross of Jesus was
Mary, his mother,
inseparably joined to the redemptive work of her Son.
R. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
By the cross of Jesus there was Mary, his mother.

From the Gospel according to John
19:25-27

At that hour, standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas,
and Mary of Magdala.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

The Gospel of the Lord.


The Profession of Faith is said where solemnity is celebrated.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Father most holy,
accept the prayers and gifts of your people
and through the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows,
who at the foot of the cross participated fully
in the sacrifice of the new covenant,
grant that becoming, an oblation pleasing to you,
we may make you a joyous offering of ourselves.
Through Christ our Lord.


PREFACE
The role of Our Lady of Sorrows, Woman of the New Covenant

It is truly right and just, to give you thanks,
and fitting to acclaim and proclaim your bountiful love,
holy Father, almighty and -powerful and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

In your providence you gave us your Son as Savior;
and by the cross, the Virgin Mary, most loving Mother,
was joined to him inseparably.

In view of the blood of our Savior
you preserved her from all stain of sin
and gave her to the human race
to serve the redeeming mission of Christ
as the new woman, exemplar of a new creation.

Exalted above the choirs of the angels and saints,
the Blessed Virgin intercedes with her Son for us,
who grieve for the burden of sin and sorrow.
but guided by the Holy Spirit,
journey toward our heavenly homeland,
where joy is full, beauty enduring and happiness everlasting.

And so, together with the angels and saints,
we sing with one voice the hymn of your praise:


COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Blessed are you, Virgin Mother!
Your Son, Christ Jesus,
spotless Lamb,
has prepared for his spouse, the Church,
the new bread and wine of the wedding banquet.

AFTER COMMUNION
Lord our God, who nourished us
at the table of the body and blood of your Christ,
as we observe the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, Woman of the New Covenant;
through her motherly intercession, may we express by our lives
the Son’s love and suffering,
which we have celebrated in these mysteries.
Through Christ our Lord.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
You have redeemed us, O Lord, by your blood,
from every tribe and tongue, from every nation and people. Cf Rv 5:9

The Gloria is said.

COLLECT
Father, who through the blood of Jesus your Son,
the Lamb sacrificed on the cross,
redeemed us, sanctified us, and made us your people;
grant that all may accept this gift of your love,
celebrate it joyfully in the Spirit,
and drink of it in the Eucharistic chalice,
the sign of your covenant and blessing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


FIRST READING
This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you.

A reading from the book of Exodus
24: 3-8

When Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
”We will do everything that the LORD has told us.”
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.”
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
“This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Ps.16: 1b-3, 4-6, 6-8, 9-10, 11.

R. Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “My LORD are you, you are my only good.”
Worthless are all the false gods of the land.
Accursed are all who delight in them. R.

They multiply their sorrows who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips.
Lord, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure. R.

Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance.
I bless the Lord who counsels me;
even at night my heart exhorts me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
with the Lord at my right, I shall never be shaken. R.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, dwells secure,
For you will not abandon me to Sheol,
nor let your faithful servant see the pit. R.

You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever. R.


SECOND READING
Christ is our peace; he has made two peoples into one.
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
2:13-20

Brothers and sisters:
Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he who made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

The word of the Lord.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia. Lk 22: 20

GOSPEL
This is my body given for you. This is my blood poured out for you.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
22: 14-20
When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.
He said to them,
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again
until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said,
“Take this and share it among yourselves;
for I tell you that from this time on
I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine
until the kingdom of God comes.”
Then he took the bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body, which will be given for you;
do this in memory of me.”
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Profession of Faith is said.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Father most holy, accept the gifts of bread and wine,
our food and drink, which we offer,
so that, made holy by the power of your Spirit,
they become signs of the new covenant
and transform us into witnesses of reconciliation and peace.
Through Christ our Lord.


PREFACE
Christ consecrates the new covenant in his blood.

It is truly right and just,
all-holy and merciful Father,
always and everywhere to raise
a hymn of praise and thanks to you
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
the true Passover Lamb.

He, the Eternal High Priest,
offered himself to you as a perfect sacrifice;
sharing our sufferings, he gave us his body,
and through the cross, our shining hope,
he consecrated the new covenant in his blood.

Your Church, imbued with the Holy Spirit,
basks in the glory of this mystery of love;
She refreshes us with the precious blood of Christ
as a foretaste of eternal joys.

And so, with all the Angels and Saints,
we joyfully sing the hymn of your glory
and acclaim without end:


COMMUNION ANTIPHON
The cup of blessing that we bless
is communion with the blood of Christ.
The bread that we break
is communion with the body of Christ.
1 Cor 10:16

AFTER COMMUNION
Father, grant that we, who have celebrated the memorial
of the new covenant by sharing in the Eucharistic bread
and in the one chalice of the blood of your Son Jesus,
may always embrace your work of justice and peace.
Through Christ our Lord.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God. Jdt 13:19

OPENING PRAYER

Lord our God,
you chose the mother of your beloved Son
to be the mother and help of Christians;
grant that we may live under her protection
and that your Church may enjoy unbroken peace.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.




FIRST READING
A great sign appeared in the sky.

From the book of Revelation of St. John the Apostle
12:1-3, 7-12, 17

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.

Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.

Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God
day and night.
They conquered him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”

Then the dragon became angry with the woman
and went off to wage war
against the rest of her offspring,
those who keep God's commandments and bear witness to Jesus.

The Word of the Lord.


Or:
I will put enmity between you and the woman.

From the book of Genesis
3:1-6, 13-15

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made. The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?" The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'"
But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad."
The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

The Lord God then asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."

Then the Lord God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
He will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."


The Word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Jdt 16: 13-15


R. Exalt and invoke the name of the Lord.

A new hymn I will sing to my God.
O Lord, great are you and glorious,
wonderful in power and unsurpassable. R.

Let your every creature serve you;
for you spoke, and they were made,
You sent forth your spirit, and they were created;
no one can resist your word. R.

The mountains to their bases,
and the seas, are shaken;
the rocks, like wax, melt before your glance.
But to those who fear you, you are very merciful. R.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Cf Lk 1: 45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary,
because you believed;
the word of the Lord was fulfilled in you.

R. Alleluia.


GOSPEL
Thus Jesus began his miracles.
From the Gospel according to John
2: 1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine."
And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you."

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and bring it to the headwaiter." So they brought it to him.

And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now."

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

The Gospel of the Lord.


PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Lord,
we offer you this sacrifice of praise
as we rejoice in this memorial of the mother of your Son;
grant that through the help of so great a mother
we may find you coming to our rescue in every trial.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.


PREFACE
Virgin Mary Mother and Help of the Christian people
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.


Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere
to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You chose the immaculate Virgin Mary,
the mother of your Son
to be the mother and help of Christians,
so that under her protection
we might be fearless in waging the battle of faith,
steadfast in holding the teachings of the apostles,
and tranquil in spirit in the storm of this world,
until we reach the joy of your heavenly city.

With steadfast love
we sing your unending praise;
we join with the host of heaven
in their triumphant song:


Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.


COMMUNION ANTIPHON
He is your glory; He, your God who has done
for you those great things. cf. Dt 10:21


PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Lord God,
refreshed by this heavenly sacraments
and relying on the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we ask that we may cast aside old ways of sin
and put on Jesus Christ,
the author of the new creation,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness.
The Lord, our God,
has visited and redeemed us,
in his Son, Jesus Christ. cf. Ps 47:1; 99:2; Lk 1:68


The Gloria is said.where solemnity is celebrated


COLLECT

Father most holy, who in your loving plan
adorned Saint Maria De Mattias
with exceptional gifts of grace
so that in the Church she might be
a witness to the blood of Christ;
grant that, through her intercession, we may
faithfully adore the Lamb without blemish who died and rose for us,
celebrate with thanksgiving the new and eternal covenant in his blood
and with zeal proclaim to all peoples the power of the love of Christ crucified.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


FIRST READING
The word of the Lord was addressed to me.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah
1:4-9

The word of the LORD came to me thus:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,
“I know not how to speak; I am too young.”

But the Lord answered me,
Say not, “I am too young.”
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Have no fear before them,
because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth saying,
See, I place my words in your mouth!

The word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Ps. 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. Lord, give us the joy of proclaiming your word.

O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you. R.

Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet
shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R.

I will remember you upon my couch,
and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:
you are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. R.

My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me. R.


SECOND READING
You are redeemed with the Precious Blood of Christ, as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter
1:16-21

Beloved, thus says the Lord: “You will be holy, because I am holy.”
If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one’s works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.

The word of the Lord.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
From the Easter Sequence

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Tell us, Mary:
what did you see along the way?
“The tomb of the living Christ,
the glory of Christ arisen.”
R. Alleluia.


GOSPEL
She went immediately and announced to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord”.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.

So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don’t know where they put him.”

Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping.
And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb
and saw two angels in white sitting there,
one at the head and one at the feet
where the Body of Jesus had been.
And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,
but did not know it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?”
She thought it was the gardener and said to him,
“Sir, if you carried him away,
tell me where you laid him,
and I will take him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbounì”,
which means “Teacher”.
Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me,
for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and tell them,
‘I am going to my Father and your Father,
to my God and your God.’”

Mary went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what he told her.

The Gospel of the Lord.


The Profession of Faith is said where solemnity is celebrated


PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

Let the dew of your Spirit, O Lord,
descend upon these gifts that we devoutly offer you
on the feast of Saint Maria De Mattias,
and grant that, purified by the Blood of the Lamb,
like her, we may be consumed by apostolic love.
Through Christ our Lord.


PREFACE
The mission of Saint Maria De Mattias

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

You, Father, are the source of life and font of holiness;
in your providential love, you chose Saint Maria De Mattias
and adorned her with the gifts of the Spirit,
so that in the Church, she might be
a herald of the light of the divine Word,
a messenger of reconciliation and peace,
a fearless witness of the Precious Blood of Christ,
and of the salvific glory of the cross.

In her life you offered us a sign of your love
for the poor, for sinners,
for exiles and the excluded.
Her example encourages us
to travel the highways of the world
directing our steps toward you.

And so, with all the Angels and Saints,
we sing the hymn of your praise
and acclaim without end:


COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Blessed are those who have been called
to the wedding feast of the Lamb. Rv. 19:9



PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

May the Body and Blood of Christ,
which we have joyfully received on the feast of Saint Maria De Mattias,
sustain us, as we journey toward the heavenly homeland,
so that our lives may become
an unending hymn of praise
and an everlasting thank-offering.
Through Christ our Lord.